Introduction
The invention of the Internet has triggered numerous changes in human communication and interaction. Electric mail (email) has become an important method for passing across messages, letters, and information from one person to another. Many organizations are embracing this innovation to pursue their aims. Unfortunately, every revolutionary idea usually attracts specific drawbacks. This proposal gives a short analysis of a research study aimed at understanding email fraud, current gaps, and the best strategies to protect computer users.
Topic Analysis and Importance
The selected topic for the final paper is that of email fraud. Personally, I am interested in it because many people use the Internet to exchange ideas, photographs, and information. Since emails have become critical for individuals and organizations, hackers and phishers target them to con or defraud clients (Rader and Wash 124). By completing a detailed study on this topic, it will be possible to have a clear knowledge of Internet-based crime and its consequences on different clients. The same information will be shared with readers to implement evidence-based protective measures.
The proposed work is significant since it seeks to address an issue that many people and computer users continue to ignore. Email fraudsters are usually experienced and cunning, thereby making it impossible for users to suspect. Targeted clients are usually tricked into reading specific emails and share their personal data or enroll in different programs (Nizamani et al., 172). The final outcome is that many people are conned, thereby losing personal resources or even being kidnapped. People should, therefore, care since this malpractice has serious consequences. A detailed analysis is a worthy enterprise since it will present additional information to empower more Internet users.
Background Information
Most of the studies completed in the recent past have outlined various issues surrounding hacking and Internet-based fraud. Email has remained a major target for phishers since it gives people an opportunity to communicate and keep messages. The consulted articles and publications have presented meaningful information about this topic. For instance, Al-Mashhadi and Alabiech indicate that many scammers use phishing techniques and old-fashioned operations to attack clients (36). A good example of such tricks is bait-and-switch (Nizamani et al., 172). Bogus WebPages are also shared to lure users into offering personal information or data. Users should, therefore, engage in continuous learning to understand email fraud and the most appropriate preventative initiatives.
Some researchers have outlined several practices to overcome the dangers of email fraud. The leading ones include ignoring unexpected links, identifying and rejecting unsolicited emails, filtering spam, installing antivirus software, and configuring firewalls (Filkins et al., 1569). Those who ignore these suggestions are at risk of becoming victims. Additional sources are needed to understand the nature of technological changes and the best advancements for improving security. The articles presented below are relevant and promising since they discuss evidence-based strategies for preventing email fraud.
The paper will be structured in a professional manner in order to be more convincing and informative. These sections will be included: Literature Review, Research Process, Findings, Discussions, Conclusions, and Recommendations. A qualitative study targeting different publications on email fraud will be completed. In the Background section, I will use existing knowledge on the subject matter, identifiable gaps, and opportunities for future improvement.
Definition of Terms
- Email fraud: Intentional deception aimed at pursuing personal gains or damaging users.
- Hacking: The process of breaching computer-based defenses for personal or criminal gains.
- Phishing: Social engineering malpractice used to steal personal information, login credentials, or credit card digits.
- Computer firewalls: Computer-based systems for protecting networks from unauthorized users.
Annotated Bibliography
Al-Mashhadi, Haider M., and Mohammed H. Alabiech. “A Survey of Email Service; Attacks, Security Methods, and Protocols.” International Journal of Computer Applications, vol. 162, no. 11, 2017, pp. 31-40.
This article begins by identifying email security as a major source of concern among Internet users. As a tool for sharing information, emails have become potential targets for hackers and phishers. The fact that many people are using them today explains why many cybercriminals tend to succeed. This article supports the model of keeping the exchange of information and data very low and confident (Al-Mashhadi and Alabiech 36). Sender authentication is an evidence-based practice for minimizing fraud. The authors go further to support the role of continuous research to present superior techniques for enhancing the effectiveness and security of every email system. The adoption of this information will support the development of a reliable and informative report.
Filkins, Barbara L., et al. “Privacy and Security in the Era of Digital Health: What Should Translational Researchers Know and Do About It?” American Journal of Translational Research, vol. 8, no. 3, 2016, 1560-1580.
In this article, the authors discuss how the emergence of digital technologies has presented both opportunities and challenges. Using the example of digital health, the article explains how privacy and security issues have become critical for many patients. Cybercriminals capitalize on this development to attack emails in an attempt to acquire confidential information and financial data (Filkins et al., 1568). This paper encourages all stakeholders to consider the importance of proactive strategies that will enhance data privacy. Researchers are also requested to pursue new techniques for minimizing risks and empowering users of computers and other Internet-based resources. These details will be incorporated in the final paper to improve human knowledge on email fraud.
Green, Jeremy S. Cyber Security: An Introduction for Non-Technical Managers. Gower Publishing Limited, 2015.
This book begins by describing the Internet as a powerful tool for many individuals and business organizations. The presented information is essential since it offers evidence-based practices and procedures that computer users can implement to protect themselves against any form of fraud. The author supports the introduction of updated antivirus software and firewalls to protect data. When it comes to the issue of email fraud, Green encourages people to avoid reading spam messages or those from unauthenticated sources (45). They should also avoid opening unnecessary links contained in their emails. These measures will make it possible for managers and computer users to protect sensitive information and achieve their objectives. These ideas resonate with the anticipated findings for the final research paper.
Nizamani, Sarwat, et al. “Detection of Fraudulent Emails by Employing Advanced Feature Abundance.” Egyptian Informatics Journal, vol. 15, no. 3, 2014, pp. 169-174.
The authors of this journal article are experienced in the field of computer security. Written within the past five years, this work offers different features and strategies for detecting fraudulent emails. The article employs the use of advanced algorithms in an attempt to have a better feature set. This means that the concept of the classification method is not important. The information presented in this article will be used to develop the most appropriate strategies for detecting fraudulent emails and empowering more people to achieve their objectives (Nizamani et al., 171). This is possible since advanced features will improve the level of fraud identification and prevention. The discussion will also be considered to propose superior practices for minimizing cyber-attacks and email-related malpractices.
Rader, Emilee, and Rick Wash. “Identifying Patterns in Informal Sources of Security Information.” Journal of Cybersecurity, vol. 1, no. 1, 2015, pp. 121-144.
The authors of this article apply their expertise to guide people and empower them to improve their computer security skills. The article encourages users to read numerous articles on the same issue and analyze their friends’ experiences. This kind of practice will make it possible for them to understand how email attacks take place, the major areas many hackers target, and the subsequent consequences (Rader and Wash 128). This knowledge will guide the final report and empower more people to improve their risk mitigation strategies. This means that the concept of continuous learning is critical for gaining additional information education on computer security.